I bought an old Tom Senior vertical light to complement the Super 7. Brilliant machine. Spares pretty thin on the ground , but what spares would you ever need. Pretty bullet proof machine.

Steve.

If you can find one the Raglan is a great machine. just look at how rigid that column is.

Perfect to go with a Myford, it was later sold by Myford.

Edited By Engine Builder on 20/09/2020 20:52:51

Edited By JasonB on 21/09/2020 14:59:05

There was a set of articles in ME about converting an sx2+ to cnc.

send me a pm

I have a Raglan and it is a delight to use. Two drawbacks might be its size and with only the knee for vertical travel. For small items it is often the choice over the Centec 2B. Mine has both the mechanical variable drive and is driven by a VFD. Mine is a metric version – not that it makes much difference once a DRO is fitted.

The Centec, however, works in either vertical or horizontal and is more than just a ‘complement’ to a myford. There are some earlier versions weighing less, but the 2B with stand, power feed and vertical head is a large, heavy lump. Dimensions are in this Link thread

Myford VMB is a nice machine, I've had one for a long time, does the job.

Edited By John Haine on 21/09/2020 11:40:27

I agree, but we're not all the same.

For that reason I strongly suggest anyone starting out shine a bright light on their reasons. Apply a ruthless engineering analysis to your requirement before spending money, but then go for it full throttle. This is because notions, prejudices and misunderstandings are as influential as cold logic when we go shopping and it pays not to mix them up.

For example I see nothing wrong in a hobbyist replicating a 1950s workshop to celebrate our engineering heritage, but doing so can be expensive, and misses certain opportunities. Likewise, I see nothing wrong in assembling a far-eastern workshop for entirely pragmatic and financial reasons. The first risks wasting time and money, the second could thoroughly annoy a traditionally minded owner. Ask what matters to you and why.

I wouldn't buy a machine with the idea of passing it on to future generations. I operate within a budget and buy tools to use them. To me tools are tools, not objects of affection or investments, and they can be scrapped or sold-on when they don't do what I need of them. Brand reputation is well down my list of desirable features because I'm mainly interested 'fitness for purpose' and 'value for money'. I'm also keenly aware reputation does not protect venerable machine tools from wear and tear. Balance the excellent reputation of Rolls Royce against the condition of this pre-loved Silver Shadow:

Pablo's plan for a Myford and matching Mill is off the table for me, not because I think those tools wouldn't be fit for purpose, but because they probably aren't 'value for money' in my context. (Even Myford's in poor condition attract premium prices.)

In my view, unless buying for a particular purpose, the debate boils down to New versus Second-hand. Buying new removes all the risks associated with buying second-hand, and it's possible to select machines to suit the space available, and the type of work to be done, and have them quickly delivered. Buying second-hand means waiting for the right machine to turn up, inspecting before purchase, and working round issues like uncomfortably big, or special power needs. On the plus side a better class of machine is affordable – far more expensive than Myford when new – but spares for top quality machines are shockingly expensive.

Myford seven series lathes are good but all machines have shortcomings, like a tiny spindle bore and chucks that unscrew in reverse. For many purposes, one of the bigger Chinese Lathes is a better choice. Not because of how beautifully made the lathe is, but because it's bigger!

So much depends on the owner and what he intends doing. A friend owns a sparkling workshop devoted to maintaining two modern motorbikes. The best spanners, tool cabinets, lifts and everything else. Loads of room. He enjoys keeping his workshop and bikes clean and tidy, but admits any major work is sent to the dealer. Good for him. My overcrowded workshop is a mess: bits, scrap, and half-finished projects, only cleaned when red-lights are flashing, or I'm starting something new. None of my tools are 'decent', but they all work and I enjoy getting the best of them. Both of us have workshops a professional would have to change. Expensive tools not earning money is sinful, as is buying machine tools likely to prove unreliable when worked hard. My untidy approach would be unacceptable if I shared the workshop, but I like it.

Useful to decide yourself where you are on the spectrum. Be honest, whether tinkerer, fuss-pot, collector, or slack-alice. Not good for someone like me to led astray by prejudice, and equally bad for me to push Chinese hobby equipment onto a tool-room worker. Horses for courses, but identify the course before choosing a horse. It's your hobby, enjoy!

Dave

Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 21/09/2020 12:28:20

If you can find a Centec 2B with Mk3 VH, then snap it up. If it's good enough for Cherry Hill then it should be perfect for you.

Agreed that the Raglan is probably a bit on the high side, speed-wise for gear cutting, but before arguing too heavily, over speeds being too high, some discussion of alternatives/options/possibilities available might be thought through.

While admittedly most Raglan millers were supplied with 1425rpm motors, some are around with the optional 2-speed motors running at 710/1425 rpm.

While 380rpm represents 300fpm cutting speed, which is on the high side for a 3” cutter, I am thinking that most hobby-sized gear cutters are less than 3” in diameter?

Not all gears are cut from steel. Many can be from cast iron, Aluminium or even teflon/acetal/nylon etc.

As per my post above, my little machine is fitted with a single speed 1425rpm motor but is driven by a VFD, so lower speeds are attainable on mine.

Just need a bit of compromise, sometimes.🙂

Personally, I think the Raglan is probably on the small side for many users. It would be for me – if it was the only mill I had.

Pablo, please check your inbox. I have sent you a message.